The high flows the Bureau of Reclamation warned about are here with a steady flow of 18,300 cfs this week. There are rumors of a bump to 20,000 cfs coming but I’d say there’s a 50/50 chance it will stay where it is. The high (and cold) water has most area anglers focusing their attention on the Henry’s Fork, which is fine by us. If you know what to do and where to look the fishing on the South Fork right now is just fine, and you’ll have the river almost entirely to yourself. A few things to keep in mind; the fish LOVE these high flows as it moves a bunch a food their way. Focus on big attractor nymphs like stoneflies, big bright beadheads, and san juan worms and fish them in the slowest water you can find. My biggest advice is to not fish from the put in to the take out non-stop like you did mid-summer. Instead just float and enjoy the scenery until you find the “A” water. You’re looking for slow water behind islands, drop offs, slow side channels, and back eddies. Don’t even bother fishing most banks as they’ll be moving too fast and the fish will be up in the brush anyway. Have fun and be safe.
If you haven’t seen it here’s a bit of history on our lodge.